The Big Race

Yesterday was the big race of the year, the Provincial Road Race, and the race I sort of had my eye on all year. I wanted to race it and I wanted to do well. I finished in fourth position which was a great result for me and I was very happy. Even better, the 4 of us from Edmonton decided to win the thing and rode as a team, coming across the line 1,2,3,4.

I remember when the cycling season started I blogged something about wondering what I'd learn this year, what lessons racing would teach me. I learned one lesson yesterday: when you ride very little for 3 weeks then go in a very tough race you suffer. Badly. I was a hurtin' unit when that race was over.

One more race that counts to come, our club championship race. Then the year is over except for mountain biking in the fall.

Pa

Since starting in the healing room I have been reading all the accounts of Jesus over and over again so that I get what it really says rather than what I think it says. One thing I have noticed that I didn't before was that many crowds followed Jesus because of the miraculous signs he performed, such as healing. I've come to understand they followed him for the miracles and for not much else. In John 6 Jesus said they followed him because he produced food and they had their fill.

The challenge to me within these accounts is that me/you/we pursue Jesus for the miraculous signs and not much else. We're always looking for miraculous provision in finances or a miraculous solution such as healing or a miracle in our marriage or work, maybe a new car or house, maybe that job, maybe the fulfillment of a promise He made to us long ago.

I've noticed that when Jesus does not perform the miraculous in our lives our faith tends to weaken and doubts creep in. No healing - we doubt. No provision - we doubt. No promise fulfilled - we doubt. I think we have to admit that we follow Him for miraculous signs.

I have this growing resolve inside of me, which I think is Spiritus Sanctus, to learn how to pursue him despite the miraculous signs. Somehow I want to learn how to seek and find him just for who he is, not for what he does. We were singing "Holy is the Lord" in Kinship the other night, just that phrase over and over, and I tried to sing it like I would in heaven. I saw myself in the Age to Come where there is no sickness, no pain, where every question is answered and I tried to sing Holy is Lord like I was there. I meant Holy is the Lord because he is Holy, not because he does Holy things.

None of this is to say I don't value or want or think He's going to stop with the miraculous signs. I think they are going to increase and I'm going full bore after healing miracles. Jesus didn't stop the miracles when he was with us and I don't think he's about to change. But I do want to grab hold of them and go past them deeper into the heart of Jesus. I want to follow him for other reasons other than all the miracles he does in my life. I wonder what those might be?

Pa

Sad and Happy

Sadly, I have not ridden my bike much at all these last few weeks. Way too many things happening. Happily, it is going to be nice for the next while and I am going to ride as much as I can. I entered the Masters Provincial Road Race and hope to be back in shape for it.

Sadly, very sadly, Geordie and Stef are packing to head out to Redding on Sunday. I can feel them slipping away already. Happily, very happily, this is a new chapter in their walk with that mysterious God. It's a walk of faith for them.

Sadly, I am back to work, having used up almost all my vacation days. Happily, I have a new job designation to look forward to, which is good because I need a change.

Sadly, all the expectations fall on us again to start the Healing Room and Kinship. Happily these are the types of things I enjoy and give me life and I look forward to them starting again.

Sadly, this is likely a continuation of intermittent blogging. Happily, you'll know I'm out riding or doing something else outside before l'hiver finds us again.

Speaking of l'hiver I am interested to watch our new adopted son Daniel adjust to l'autumn, which precedes l'hiver and is but a taste of what's to come. Luckily for him he's outta here before the real thing arrives.

Pa